2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings, despite sharing some styling cues. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a prominent shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that lent it a fastback-like appearance. The ribbed detailing added a muscular touch, blending SUV bulk with sleek, athletic elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimalistic, with a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents, while a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a touch of sophistication. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition exuded a bold, blacked-out aesthetic. The Black Line treatment eliminated most chrome from the exterior, creating a striking appearance, especially in the Black Onyx color. However, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation predecessor. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's reputation for quality, with smooth and refined materials. The GX offered a comfortable driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured physical controls, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. While the front seats were comfortable and offered heating and ventilation, the rear seats were less accessible due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space, while the side-swinging tailgate posed challenges for loading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was less than pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though the ride was firm, even in Comfort mode, and lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 5,126-pound curb weight, relied on a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly potent, the engine provided a satisfying note and ample torque, contributing to a 7.8-second 0-60 mph time and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The GX featured a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system with a limited-slip differential and electronic differential lock. The 4WD system distributed power with 40 percent to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. The GX's design, resembling a tall and narrow shoebox, resulted in a high drag coefficient of 0.35, impacting fuel economy, which was estimated at 16 mpg combined. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, while the GX's ride and handling were refined for on-road use. However, the steering was slow and heavy, and the brake pedal was touchy, affecting smooth driving in traffic.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground of its segment. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, a covered storage cubby with USB ports was provided for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. Its design, suitable for global markets, made it tall, narrow, and short, facilitating maneuverability in various settings. The seats were comfortable, with interior padding in appropriate places. The GX featured physical controls, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, while the back seats were heated. However, rear-seat access was challenging due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space, and the side-swinging tailgate posed loading challenges. Cargo space measured 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with it folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded, less than some competitors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings. It featured a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The screen's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality with pinch-and-zoom capabilities. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation, driver profiles, last-mile guidance navigation, and a valet mode, all included free for three years.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement. Positioned at the top of the center control panel, it was easy to see and use. The system included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. A CD player was also present, alongside a Lexus app and Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not in the test vehicle. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. Lexus made Intuitive Parking Assist standard, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it came equipped with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering. The GV70 also featured eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist impressed with smooth control inputs, though lane-centering struggled with curves.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally unchanged for years, also lacked crash-test ratings. It featured Lexus Safety System+, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling, complimentary for three years. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems. The absence of these features contributed to a favorable driving experience, free from second-guessing or overriding steering inputs.